• Home
• Why WSU
• Academics & Majors
• Academic Offerings
• Research Opportunities
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Libraries
• Admission
• Scholarships & Finances
• Student Life & Housing
• Student Visits

• Admitted Students

Family Studies

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Family Studies
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Family Studies
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
	Contact Information

Family Studies

The family studies specialty of the human development major prepares students for careers in institutions and community agencies that provide services to families. This program focuses on family development through the lifespan and applies this knowledge toward designing innovative and effective programs for children and their families. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts in human development with a specialty in family studies, master of arts • Available at: Pullman

Back to top

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a specialty in Family Studies REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM Students can certify as human development majors after taking 24 credit hours and earning at least a 2.0 GPA. Students completing a bachelor of arts degree in human development are required to complete a certified minor or approved certificate of study in another department. HD majors may also minor in the WSU program in aging. REQUIRED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT COURSES HD 201—Prenatal Through Age 8 HD 202—Middle Childhood Through Adolescence HD 203—Adulthood Through Older Years HD 204—Family Systems: Understanding Family Interaction HD 310—Research Approaches to Human Development HD 330—Professional Preparation HD 320—Resource Management and Problem Solving      or HD 420—Theories of Human Development HD 410—Public Policy Issues Impacting Families and individuals HD 498—Field Placement REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALITY HD 301—Families in Crisis HD 302—Parent-Child Relationships HD 304—Intimate Relationships Across the Lifespan HD 350—Diversity in Contemporary Families HD 406—Work and Family NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Back to top

Careers in Family Studies

Human development graduates with a family studies specialty are employed in family support centers, community action centers, parent education organizations, family crisis centers, domestic violence programs, and many other organizations that address family needs and issues. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate education in family therapy and human development.

Back to top

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Desire to strengthen individuals, families, and communities • Interest in current social issues and policies that impact families or individual family members • Sensitivity to the valuable contributions and unique needs of all people • Desire to learn about the development of individuals, families, and communities • Desire to learn how a variety of educational approaches, social policies, and prevention/intervention strategies can influence the development of children, youth, and families

Back to top

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Department of Human Development awards more than $14,000 in scholarships annually. Students in the program are also eligible to compete for the College of Agriculture and Home Economics’ Dean’s Merit Scholarship and for general University scholarships. Details regarding scholarship criteria are available on the CAHE and Human Development Web sites.

Back to top

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Education • Psychology • Sociology • Adolescence • Aging • Early childhood development • Family and consumer science education • Human development

Back to top

Contact Information

Department of Human Development

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Washington State University 501 Johnson Tower PO Box 644852 Pullman, WA 99164-4852

magaret_young@wsu.edu

509-335-8439

Back to top

Strengths of the Program

• Focus on physical, social, cognitive, and affective development with an emphasis on development within the family.
• Gain a broad perspective of individual and family development through faculty from a range of disciplines and professional areas.
• Develop skills for working in a variety of human service and educational settings.
• Students gain valuable career experiences through a semester-long internship in an employment setting in which they serve children and families.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us